Ryan Garcia ready to become new face of boxing after big win over Conor Benn
Ryan Garcia successfully defended his WBC welterweight title by defeating Conor Benn in a second-round stoppage in Las Vegas. The victory marks a significant career turnaround for Garcia, positioning him as a potential new face of professional boxing.
Why it matters
As boxing faces a transition period with the retirement or inactivity of major stars, Garcia's performance establishes him as a primary commercial draw for the sport.
LAS VEGAS -- If Saturday's performance was any indication of what the prime of Ryan Garcia is going to look like, boxing might truly be on the verge of catching fire once again.
Garcia (26-2, 21 KOs) entered the fight already considered one of boxing's biggest crossover stars thanks to his electrifying skills and large social media following. Yet, headlining his first Mexican Independence Day Weekend card inside T-Mobile Arena, his second-round dismantling of British star Conor Benn (25-2, 14 KOs), to make the first defense of his WBC welterweight title, still felt like a true, star-making moment.
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